The latest quarterly DVN Report shows you relevant details of the Shanghai auto show as well as the models launched elsewise these four last months. Five trends are highlighted:
• The drive to innovate in front and rear lighting is hotting up
• Front light sources are delocalised
• Rear lights are morphing toward displays
• Linear lights with lit logos are proliferating in the front and in the rear
• Lights keep getting thinner and thinner in the front and in the rear
The first three of these trends can be developed within the engineering and designing realms without great consequence on safety, but not the last two trends. For linear lights with lit logos, front and rear, the regulations have to be clarified—or perhaps we should say they have to be written in the first place—and that’s a great opportunity to have worldwide agreement, if we dare hope for it (and work toward it).
As for lights getting thinner and thinner, this is something of a worrisome trend. Smaller lights, front and rear, mean less performance and/or more glare. In headlamps, it also means higher power consumption relative to performance levels; in rear lamps it’s already making problems with American lit area (EPLLA) requirements for the stop light and rear turn signal functions. Lights are first and foremost safety equipment. There is always a compromise between engineering, safety, and compliance on the one hand, and design and marketing on the other.
It is comparable: it is now technically possible to make micro-fineline and other extremely small lights that meet the photometric requirements, but let us be wise and responsible about it, and keep in mind that just because something can be done, doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a good idea that should be done. I suggest automakers and suppliers should avoid overdoing it on the thin mini-lights.
Sincerely yours